Having your home properly insulated is the best way to lower your energy costs while also increasing its resale value. If you are looking for a fast and affordable way to make your new home comfortable and energy-efficient, you should consult the Kittitas County spray foam insulation experts at Prosite today. Here is a look at why spray foam insulation is the perfect choice for Kittitas County homes.
Where To Insulate In Your New Home
The goal of home insulation is to keep the hot or cold air from coming into your home, depending on the season. In order to achieve this, you will need to create a "thermal envelope" around your house. Some of the places that insulation can be placed around your new home include:
- Exterior walls
- Attic
- Interior walls
- Above the ceiling
- Around ductwork
- Sidewalls
- Basement
- Crawl spaces
If your home is properly insulated, it will decrease the flow of the heat, which means that your home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
There Are Many Different Types Of Insulation To Consider
There is a wide range of insulation materials, which can make it difficult to decide which option is best for you. All insulation will have an R-value. This number will let you know its ability to resist heat. The higher the R-value, the better it is at insulating. Here is a look at some of the most popular types of home insulation materials:
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass insulation comes in two variations. It can be rolled out like a large rug or it can come in fluffy strands called loose-fill insulation. Rolled fiberglass has a higher R-value than loose fill. However, the loose fill can fit into tighter spaces with ease. Both rolled and loose-fill fiberglass insulation can leave your skin itchy and irritated. It can also cause damage to your nose, throat, and lungs if it is inhaled.
- Cellulose: Loose-fill cellulose is made out of recycled paper and fire-retardant materials. Its R-value is around 3.2 per inch, which is a fairly good rating. However, it is much heavier than most other insulations. Because of its excessive weight, it isn't suitable for many attics and ceilings.
- Spray foam: Out of all of the options in this list, spray foam insulation has the highest R-rating. This innovative insulation's R-value can be as high as 6.5 per inch.
There are several other benefits to choosing spray foam insulation. For instance, the material is denser than other insulations, which allows it to completely block air and moisture from seeping in. It can also be used to seal up any cracks or crevices in the exterior walls of the home to prevent bugs, rodents, and other animals from coming inside.
An Air-Tight Seal Offers The Best Energy Savings And Protection
To get the best results, your home's insulation needs to create an air-tight seal. With rolled and loose-fill insulation, it is difficult, if not impossible, to create a tight seal that does not allow air to travel through. However, once spray foam insulation is applied, it expands to fill every crevice of the area. Even in hard-to-reach places, spray foam insulation is able to easily create an air-tight seal.
New Insulation must Be Installed Properly
Many people try to turn their home insulation into a DIY project. And while some insulations can be installed by yourself, spray foam insulation should always be installed by professionals.
At Prosite, our spray foam installers have gone through rigorous training to learn the complex techniques of properly installing this unique type of insulation. If you would like to learn more about our spray foam insulation methods, contact us today and learn how to get more effective insulation to keep your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.